NiceHCK HB2

DISCLAIMER

I bought the NiceHCK HB2 with a discount from the NiceHCK Aliexpress shop: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002848089532.html.





EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The NiceHCK HB2 is a bluetooth wireless adapter that has a modular MMCX/2 pin connector, this increases pairing options for detachable IEMs. It has great sound quality, good battery life and excellent connectivity.


SPECIFICATIONS

• Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.2 (Qualcomm QCC3040)
• Bluetooth coding: SBC, AAC, aptX
• Wireless range: 10 meters
• SNR: 59 dB
• Playtime: 13 hours
• Charging time: 1.5 hours
• Tested at $79 USD

ACCESSORIES

In addition to the BT adapter, it comes with:

1) Modular MMCX, 0.78mm 2 Pin and NX7 2 Pin types.

• This is the selling point of the NiceHCK HB2! It comes with a unique 3 types of detachable modules, where one can disconnect the module from the BT adapter, so one can use various IEM connector type housing with it – MMCX, 0.78mm 2 Pin and NX7 2 Pin types.
• The modular design is also good in that usually the connector area is the first point to fail after repeated wear and tear, so no biggie buying the detachable modules, rather than replacing the entire device.

2) USB-C charging cable






BUILD/COMFORT

The NiceHCK HB2 is very comfortable, light and ergonomic. I’ve even used it for 10 hour sessions and forgot it’s in use. The wire guides are flexible and they don’t impinge on the ears, even with a mask and spectacles on. The build quality is rather sturdy too.

The NiceHCK HB2 has no waterproofing mentioned in the specs unfortunately. But FWIW, I’ve used it in some slightly rainy conditions and even with gym and exercise for the past 3 weeks and there are no issues thus far, fingers crossed.


FUNCTION/CONNECTIVITY

Holding a long press on the back of the device turns it on. The left and right sides pair up automatically when turned on, and I had no issues with pairing it with multiple BT devices, all devices recognized the NiceHCK HB2 on the spot. Pressing the power button for 5 seconds conversely turns it off.

The buttons for the NiceHCK HB2 work as advertised:



Interestingly, only one side of the NiceHCK HB2 can be used independently without the need to turn on the other side. This can be an option for some who only want one side in the ear for calls, or say if the other side is being charged. One thing to nitpick is that the buttons are quite sensitive, and are located at the rear of the device, so they can be accidentally touched sometimes.

The NiceHCK HB2 has a mic and can take calls, with good sound quality for calls. I’ve tried it on a few online meetings with no complaints from the others in the conferences with regards to voice quality.

I also liked the volume controller on the NiceHCK HB2. In contrast, some BT adapters like the iBasso CF01 have no volume control on it, so if say one is far away from the BT device used to pair with it, one has to physically go over to the device to change the volume, unlike the NiceHCK HB2, which just requires a tap on the housing.

Connectivity is excellent on the NiceHCK HB2, I have not a single drop out whatsoever in the past 3 weeks that I’ve been using them. The BT range is about 10 meters or so, assuming no walls/obstructions are in the path.

The NiceHCK HB2 doesn’t come with a charging case unfortunately, but it takes around 1.5 hours to reach a full charge. Battery life is advertised at 13 hours, I think it is thereabouts ballpark from my testing, but as per most BT/wireless devices, that is expected to go down with repeated charging cycles, and it also depends on the volume one listens at and perhaps the file type (lossless versus lossy).


TECHNICAL ASPECTS

The NiceHCK HB2 uses the Qualcomm QCC3040 TWS chipset. It has BT 5.2 with support for aptX, SBC and AAC, but unfortunately doesn’t support LDAC or aptX LL/HD.

For the purposes of this review, I paired the NiceHCK HB2 with a range of 15 IEMs. From more power hungry sets like the TRI I3 (contains planars) and the KBEAR BElieve (low sensitivity beryllium driver), to some fussier low impedance/high sensitivity multi driver sets like the Audiosense T800 and TRI Starsea.

Pairings:

• Audiosense T800
• BLON BL-03
• BLON Cardinal
• iBasso CF01
• KBEAR BElieve
• Kinera BD005 Pro
• LZ A7
• Oriveti New Primacy
• Tanchjim Oxygen
• TFZ Tequila
• TRI I3
• TRI Starsea
• Westone 3 (MMCX modded)
• Westone W30
• Whizzer HE01

This device packs quite a lot of juice, and it could power the KBEAR BElieve and TRI I3 with headroom to spare. One thing I would have to nitpick, is that there is some hiss noted with high sensitivity type multi BA IEMs like those mentioned above.

One can mitigate the hiss to some extent by lowering the volume on the NiceHCK HB2, and just jacking up the volume from the BT device you are connected to. Generally the hiss also is not perceived when one is outdoors or when music starts playing anyway.

Dynamics are good on the NiceHCK HB2, there isn’t much loss of the subbass, which is a common occurance in TWS/BT sets. There is some loss of the higher treble, but when one uses BT and wireless stuff on the go and outside,

I think it is quite hard to really notice this. I really liked that the NiceHCK HB2 doesn’t colour the sound much, it just faithfully transmits the sound signature of the attached IEM. So far of the IEMs I’ve paired with it, they all sound the same in terms of general FR as the wired version of these IEMs, though of course wired gear in general tends to have better dynamics, microdetails and technical performance.


COMPARISONS

Even among wireless gear, I generally prefer BT adapters (like the TRN BT20S and TRN BT20), rather than TWS stuff, as I’d like to use my favourite detachable IEMs (with famililar sound signatures) on the go, and hence these BT adapters allow me to reuse the IEM. Plus I think that TWS buds are limited sooner or later by the BT tech or battery life (with repeat charges), so at least the IEM can be kept even if the TWS bud dies/gets outdated.

I’ve the TRN BT20 and TRN BT20S and the iBasso CF01 for these BT adapters. The NiceHCK HB2 sound better than these 3 in terms of sound quality/dynamics and also in terms of connectivity. The iBasso CF01 is more expensive, but comes with a charging case.

I’ve had a few drop outs with the iBasso CF01s and there is a shorter connection distance than the NiceHCK HB2. The iBasso CF01 also only features a MMCX non detachable connector, so that limits the IEM types that can be used with it. The iBasso CF01 has no volume controller as mentioned prior.


CONCLUSIONS

The NiceHCK HB2 is a bluetooth wireless adapter that has a modular MMCX/2 pin connector, this increases pairing options for detachable IEMs. It has great sound quality, good battery life and excellent connectivity.

If a charging case was added, this BT adapter would have been perfect, but as it is, I would recommend this set for those that want the convenience of a wireless connection on the go!

NiceHCK HB2

TWS is gaining ground on the tried and true wired earphones given the huge popularity of leading TWS designs Apple airpods, Bose, Sony and the like that seem to keep on introducing newer models. What better way to introduce wireless ability to your favorites than a bluetooth adapter to get them to be wireless. I have to admit I have been ignorant about wireless products and ever since doing my first TWS review I have learned a lot of where the technology is going and why folks choose wireless. I get it, no wires and you're not tethered to your phone or player. Not to mention they include a mic so you can speak to another person if need be. But mostly it is that freedom of movement and the ability to not have anything dangerously hanging from your ears ever close to yanking out your expensive monitors causing a tragic end to them. Using wireless products when you're out and about clearly has its advantages.

The disadvantage is the inability to cable roll obviously, and for cable enthusiasts this is a cardinal sin. Then there is the non ability of using more powerful, better amplified sources. Also the fact that these TWS adapters have a shelf life as they run on batteries that your average enthusiast will have no idea how to replace once the batteries run out. However for folks that have never truly been happy with the sound tuning on a dedicated TWS product. What better way to get the best sound in a wireless format than using a wireless dongle/ adapter. Case in point the HB2 comes with 3 types of connector arms; mmcx, .78mm 2 pin and QDC type 2 pin arms that allows you to connect your favorite wired sets to it making them completely wire free and with an included mic w remote controls of your music. The hardware specs are as follows.

1.Brand:NiceHCK
2.Model:HB2
3.Product type:True wireless HiFi Bluetooth receiver
4.Bluetooth chip:Qualcomm QCC3040
5.Bluetooth version:5.2
6.Bluetooth protocol:AptX, SBC, AAC
7.Connection distance: 10m
8.Noise reduction: CVC 8.0
9.Battery capacity: 100mAh
10.Charging time: About 1.5 hours
11.Charger port: Type-C
12.Charging voltage and current: 5V 90mA
13.Battery life:Talk about 10 hours, music about 13 hours
14.Connector:MMCX, 0.78mm 2Pin, NX7 2Pin connectors


These things in person are much smaller than they appear in photos. They fit snugly around your upper ears and include an easy touch interface which allows for touch controls of the device which includes power on off, pairing, volume up and down, next track, last track, and a mic for talking on your phones. Each side has its own battery and comes with a double USB C type charger cable. The build is all plastic here which is standard on such devices and are very light yet ergonomic for hours of comfortable use.

The pairing of the two sides are immediate once powered on and pairing up to the source be it a bluetooth enabled DAP in my case using my Fiio M15 or a phone device is easy. Once paired you are getting very excellent quality wireless transmission to your favorite earphones. With 3 different wireless codecs. APTX,SBC and AAC. My M15 automatically connects via APTX and sounds fantastic. Music comes in nice and clear with excellent detail. My earphones sounds like they should. I perceive just a bit of a downgrade in dynamic range but for the most part the sound comes in loud and clear from the earphones I have tested which include.




In testing the connectivity which is reported to be good for 10 meters. I find this to be true. Outdoors is much longer more like 15M but indoors for the most part wireless transmission is strong even through several walls. I did get an occasional static when moving about but that was due to being too far from the source, overall transmission of signal was clear with predictable results. I have tested them using one of my favorites the UM MEST while cutting the grass and it made for perfect way to listen to some music while I finish up some household chores. I have yet to experience the adapter running out of battery as it is reported to have roughly 13 hours but I am guesstimating real world use to be more like 10 hours give or take an hour depending on how much talking one does on the phone vs listening to music. Included mic comes in loud and clear and my vocals on the other end seems to give clear transmission of my voice. So far so good. However there are some minor quibbles.

These do not have a dedicated cradle or housing of some sort to recharge them or carry them. Issue with that is, they are small enough to fit in a shell case that most earphones come with but since the included arms are separate pieces. I can see a scenario where on vacation somewhere if you end up losing one of the smaller arms they use which in effect the whole adapter becomes useless. The 2nd issue is that the charging cable is way too short and they have to be pretty much connected to the wall or your computer for them to be charging. Then the USB-C connection is so stiff it took some serious forced pressure to connect them to go all the way in to charge. If you don’t see a red light that means they are not charging. This could have been done a bit better. I am no noodle-armed man and it took some serious effort to connect their charging cord to the base of the adapter so I can see folks having issues with this.

Otherwise this is an ideal adapter to use to get your favorite earphones to become wireless and sound fantastic in the process of doing it. I hope in their next version of these if they will consider making a pop in housing for the battery to recharge on the go which seems to be a good idea for something that has pieces to it not to mention it would be easier to charge a housing cradle of some sort vs plugging in two separate charger cables.

For what it is, I am a big fan of this device. It is the perfect companion to turn your favorite in ears into a wireless version and sounds fantastic. I do perceive a bit less dynamic range for my music vs being wired on the same earphones but for the most part the convenience of no wires outweigh that very minor drop off in dynamics.

It isn’t perfect but for the hours you can listen wirelessly it is very awesome to be able to do that especially for folks that have a good variety of in ears in their collection. There is a very minor drop off in sound quality if at all and it simply just works well. Don’t need much more than that from your wireless adapter. I never realized just how awesome it is to turn some of my best earphones into a wireless phone. Thanks for taking the time to read.

Introduction

NiceHCK, the well-known audio retailer on AliExpress, as well as designer and manufacturer of high-quality audio products, is going all out this summer. In parallel to the introduction of its great IEM Lofty, with beryllium diaphragm, it is offering for sale a Bluetooth HiFi receiver module, which can be paired with any IEM, including earbuds. Using the QCC3040 Bluetooth Chip and the most advanced version of BT v5.2, it is also compatible with the most advanced protocols: aptX, SBC, AAC. Each module has a 100mAh battery and interchangeable cables for MMCX, 2Pin 0.78mm recessed and surface connections. Next, we'll take a look at what these new True Wireless receiver modules can do.



Disclaimer

NiceHCK Official Store, offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.



Specifications

• Bluetooth chip: Qualcomm QCC3040.
• Bluetooth version: v5.2
• Bluetooth protocols: AptX, SBC, AAC.
• Connection distance: 10m
• Noise reduction: CVC 8.0
• SNR: 59dB
• Battery capacity: 100mAh
• Charging time: Approx. 1.5hrs
• Charging port type: USB Type-C.
• Charging voltage and current: 5V 90mA
• Microphone included in each module.
• Battery life: Talk time approx. 10h, Music approx. 13h.
• MMCX, 2Pin 0.78mm and 2Pin 0.78mm NX7 connectors.
• It is compatible with multifunction touch actuation.

Packaging

The NiceHCK HB2 comes in a plain white box, 127x127x40mm in size. On the front side there is a real picture of the modules with an exploded view of the cable. The model name is on the bottom left, in bold red letters. Below that is the description, in smaller black letters. On the right side, the chip used and the different protocols supported are highlighted. On the back are the rest of the specifications, in Chinese and English. The entire box is made of thick, hard, white cardboard. After removing the lid, the modules are encased in white dense foam moulding, with the model name on the top, together with a cloth tape, which allows easy removal of this first layer. After lifting it up, you can see another white foam mould with two more pairs of cables and a small box containing the charging cable. Finally, underneath this layer, you will find the quality control and warranty cards and the manual (in Chinese and English). In a summary:

• 2 HB modules.
• 1 pair of MMCX cables.
• 1 pair of 2Pin 0.78mm cables.
• 1 pair of 2Pin 0.78mm NX7 cables.
• 1 USB to dual USB Type-C charging cable.
• 1 quality control card.
• 1 warranty control card.
• 1 user manual.

The presentation is simple and clear, it contains everything you need, including 3 pairs of cables that allow connection to virtually all headphone models.



Construction and Design

The construction is predominantly rigid plastic, black in colour. Its approximate measurements are 47.5x16x9.6mm, not counting the part that connects to the cables. Its weight is quite light, although I don't know its real value. On the outer side is the name of the brand and the letter indicating the channel, in white letters. On the inner side there are two rubber covers, which protect the USB Type-C charging port. In reality the connection operation is slightly hindered by the slight difficulty in connecting the cable, because these rubbers do not come off completely. On the outer side there is a smooth plate containing a small LED in its centre. A little lower down there are three horizontal bars of different sizes, forming a triangle: this is the touch zone. At the top end is the connection port with the semi-rigid cables. This is a recessed 2Pin port, slightly larger than the classic IEMS port, to make it easier to differentiate between them. As I said, the cables are semi-rigid and there are 3 types: MMCX, 2Pin 0.78mm and 2Pin 0.78mm NX7. They have a rubbery, soft, slightly rough coating and are quite light. I would have liked the cables to be attached to the modules a little harder, although they are not soft, they are not difficult to remove. Once in place, though, there doesn't seem to be a feeling of weakness at the junction. On the other hand, the IEMS fit quite well, with a medium hardness, it's not difficult to connect the earphones, the measurements are quite accurate. Although I prefer everything to fit a little tighter and firmer. Despite the fact that the construction is entirely plastic, they look sturdy. They don't seem to meet any standards to protect against splashes, sweat, etc. At least, it's not listed anywhere. We'll have to see how it performs in such situations.
All in all, the design is functional rather than beautiful. It is not a piece that stands out because it is beautiful, but rather because of its performance.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

When I first saw them I thought they were going to be annoying and uncomfortable. I was totally wrong. They are not heavy at all and the design of the cables barely touches above the ears. Thus, the modules rest on the back of our ears, but in a very subtle way, their support is light and soft, barely noticeable. If the IEMS fit well, the modules won't bother you any more than an over-ear cable. There are even many over-ear cables that are more obtrusive than HB2s. The most critical thing is to find the tactile area of operation, it will require a bit of trial and error. In my case it has been like that, because in reality, I'm a bit of a klutz at these things.
Beyond these trifles, I find that the ergonomics, although the design is not very attractive, is quite good, as far as the adjustment of the IEMS+cable+modules set is concerned. Almost excellent.



Operation and Connection

As I said before, accessing the touch part of the HB2 is not the most natural action for me, unless you have a lot of itching behind your ears... But with a bit of practice it can be solved. Fortunately the sensitivity of the area is fine, neither too sensitive nor unresponsive. I think it's in a good middle ground. And the three bands that allow you to locate the touch zone are well thought out.
The microphone is located inside the module, I don't know how much better it would have been on the outside. But it seems to work well, because compared to other TWS, on this occasion I had no problem talking to my mother, (yes, it is the acid test to check the microphone of any TWS and she listened to me at the first time).
Here is a quick guide to the operation of the HB2:

• Switch on HB2: press the touch zone of each module for 3 or 4 seconds.
• Turn off HB2: press the touch zone of each module for 6 seconds.
• Start or pause music: Double click on the touch zone of any module.
• Next song: long press on the touch zone of the right module for 2 seconds.
• Previous song: long press on the touch zone of the left module, for 2 seconds.
• Volume up: one click on the touch zone of the right module.
• Volume down: one click on the touch zone of the left module.
• Answer the call: When the phone rings, double click on the touch zone of any module.

The connection to Bluetooth sources is very fast and agile, in this respect it is superior to other devices I have used. This provides a more pleasant user experience and even allows me to have a higher opinion of the HB2s.



Sound

The sound of the HB2 is surprisingly respectful of the frequency response of the connected headphones. Whether IEMS with DD, hybrid or just BA drivers, the curve matches the original without any problems. There only seems to be a very slight dip at the sub-bass end, which is hardly noticeable. Even in the high end of the IEMS with BA drivers, there seems to be more extension. This effect may be beneficial in providing more air, as it happens above 10khz. That said, there is no doubt that the HB2 is a hugely versatile product, basically because they allow you to convert any IEM, even MMCX-connected earbuds, into Bluetooth headphones, with all the advantages that entails: you don't have to stick to a single sound profile. Most of us probably have more than one IEMS with an interchangeable cable, we just have to choose which one we are going to use to convert them to TWS. The freedom this brings, especially when we know that our IEMS will sound with the same profile as wired, is limitless. But what about the quality? Well, in that sense, it depends on the source. If we have a smartphone with BT v5.0 or higher and AptX, we are already at the right level. At this point it's just a matter of finding the 7 differences or leave it for another time and enjoy the freedom of wireless use.



At an immediate comparative level, listening to the same earphone model, connected to the HB2s and then switching to a cable, is a bit tedious. But if you make the effort, the differences are noticeable, albeit slight. Wired, the sound has a more dynamic feel, as well as more transparency, spatiality and three-dimensionality. The differences have to be sought around technicalities, higher resolution and better definition. But even so, if one does not go into such a direct comparison, we are talking about a sound that is too good for the price of these modules. And I'm sure that with better sources than the ones I own, the sound could be superior. On the treble side, I find that the HB2s do brighten up the headphones a bit, but not in a negative way. For example, with the NiceHCK Lofty, it seems that the sound in the high end is splashier, being placed on a closer plane. Even so, the feeling of extra air is offset by the relatively smaller soundstage achieved with the HB2s. The better signal-to-noise ratio level obtained with a cable improves the darker background, spaciousness and spatiality of the sound. But it will require the use of fairly good headphones to appreciate this sort of thing. If more modest headphones are used, these differences become much tighter.
On the other hand, I don't notice any changes in timbre using the HB2s, which is great, because it still respects the original sound of the IEMS.



The low end with the HB2s enjoys very good presence and powerful punch, in those IEMS that do, while maintaining a remarkable energy capacity. Where subtle differences can be found is in the texture and, even finer, in the recreation of the different bass layers. In terms of elasticity, cable seems to have a higher value and somewhat more control. But the realism levels using the HB2s are very high.
In the mid-range, the differences are to be found around the level of transparency and distance between the elements, due to the lower dynamics of the HB2s. For cable, the clarity seems to be more evident, as well as the feeling of openness of the instruments and the air around them.



As you can see, I admit that there are still differences between using the cable and using the HB2s. But the differences are becoming smaller and the advantages are very great. With the sound offered by the HB2s I don't feel that the profile is strange or forced, because the profile is the same as the wired IEMS. Therefore, the tuning will always be what we want it to be. It is true that Bluetooth still has its limits due to its lower signal-to-noise ratio, dynamics, separation and stage. But I, being a complete sceptic of Bluetooth technology, am very satisfied with what the NiceHCK HB2s give me in terms of sound.



Conclusion

Nowadays, there are many people who can't conceive of music with cables. In my opinion, the difference between using IEMS with cables and IEMS TWS is still quite noticeable. I have only rarely been able to be satisfied with the sound produced. On the other hand, for some time now, there have been a number of products in the middle ground that manage to improve the performance. Among them is the new NiceHCK HB2, a Bluetooth module that connects to any IEM or earbud with an MMCX or 2PIN connection. The first thing you might think about is its size, construction and ergonomics. And in all three things it is quite good: the size is totally adequate, even the length of the cables adjusts smoothly, improving even the ergonomics. The weight is very light and the design of the cables keeps chafing and discomfort to a minimum. Occasionally, there are normal cables that are more annoying than HB2 cables. Construction-wise, obviously, the HB2s use plastic and rubber, to maintain all of the above. They don't have the most attractive shape or presence, but they are more about versatility than anything else. And so it is, with three pairs of cables, I think the HB2s are compatible with 95% of IEMS, if not more. As they are independent modules and larger than normal TWS, both the battery and all the electronics responsible for Bluetooth reception, its subsequent transformation and amplification, can be more optimised and improved. This has an impact on both performance (longer battery life) and sound (more power and quality). And when it comes to sound, the main virtue of the HB2 is the respect for the profile of the connected headphones. Just the fact that the frequency response will hardly be affected after connecting them to the HB2s should be enough of an attraction for any enthusiast. But this respect goes even further, because even the timbre will remain unchanged. In short, connecting the HB2s to our favourite headphones and converting them to TWS can be one of the most pleasurable things we can do, because we will gain a lot of things without losing any of the final sound quality. Isn't that great?



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
• HiBy R3 Pro
• JWD JWM-115
• Tempotec Variations V1-A

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 70
• Adjustment/Ergonomics: 85
• Accessories: 80
• Operation and Connection: 90
• Sound: 90
• Quality/Price: 95

Purchase Link

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005002848089532.html



You can read the full review in Spanish here:

https://hiendportable.com/2021/07/25/nicehck-hb2-review/